About Onondaga Friends Association

Why does the park need a friends group?

OFA augments the park’s interpretive services and small maintenance projects.

We do events and projects the park cannot staff or necessarily fund.

As a 501c3 non-profit organization, OFA can attract volunteers and receive grants.

To get more local people interested!  OFA can help bring more visitors to the park by helping to generate the public’s excitement and awareness of our public park.

How is Onondaga Cave State Park funded?

What does OFA do?

Special Purchases – OFA acquires interpretive tools for use in public education at the park, such as a solar panel, charge controller, sling psychrometer, GPS, tables for the nature classroom, caving helmets for children and adults, and much more! OFA is gradually building the archives, so please consider donating your old family momentos.

Fun Events organized and led by knowledgeable volunteers –

Goals – Some of OFA’s goals include:

Blue Heron Trail Project – Restore old stone roundhouse and turn into a permanent natural and cultural history education installation; create span that overlooks lake and cave spring; build seating which allows contemplative relaxation and enjoyment of the beauty and intricacies of nature. The Trail will serve as an outdoor classroom with observation areas, bird and bat houses and interpretive information along the trail. We will also have a landmark map available for a self-guided tour. Work begins in 2018!

Recycling Trailer – The Park does campground recycling and was awarded the 2015 State of Missouri Recycling Award, an inter-agency award involving all Missouri agencies. The proposed trailer will have a hitch and multiple stream recycling bins which can be easily hauled. Acquisition of the trailer will take the park’s recycling efforts further and our hope is for local public use, ultimately.

We hope to Work closely with Local Schools and Home Schools to bring environmental education to children, through programs such as Green Fest, Cave Conservation Corps Summer Day Camp, BioBlitz and more!

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these events or activities, please contact us.

We are open to new ideas! Park staff and any other individuals may bring suggestions and assistance to the OFA board of directors, and volunteerism and donations are welcome! Please feel free to attend our quarterly board meetings (see the Events Listing) and learn about what you can do.

Go to our website:  www.onondagafriends.org and contact us:  onondagafriends@gmail.com.

Thank you for your help!  Consider becoming a member and a volunteer for this beautiful state park.  Riley the Bat thanks you!